Bioimpedance as an indicator in the distribution of interface pressure in vulnerable regions for pressure ulcers: A preliminary study.

Aim: To examine the influence of body mass index, bioimpedance, and skin folds on the distribution of body interface pressure in regions with the potential to develop pressure ulcers in contact with support surfaces.

Design: This was a descriptive and analytical study.

Methods: Twenty healthy volunteer adults were investigated in April 2017.

Correlation Between First Morning Single Void and 24-Hour Urines: The Reliability to Quantify Niacin Status.

BACKGROUND The current common practice when using urine as a biomarker for vitamin excretion is to use a 24-hour sample for analysis. Due to the difficulty involved in this process, we attempted to find an alternative solution through the use of a single first morning void. The aim of our study was to investigate if there is a correlation between the first morning single void and the 24-hour collections of urines for the urine metabolite of niacin, N-1-methylnicotinamide (N1MN), and to test the reliability of utilizing a method using first morning single void collections corrected with the concentration of urine creatinine.

Vitamin C Status in Hospitalized Adults According to Subjective Global Assessment Method.

Background: The subjective global assessment (SGA) is a powerful tool for nutrition status assessment. Our aim was to compare vitamin C serum levels among patients classified as A, B, or C in the SGA.

Methods: One hundred-and-fifty adults in the wards of the University Hospital participated in this study.

Niacin metabolism and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activation in malnourished patients with flaky paint dermatosis.

Flaky paint dermatosis, characterized by extensive, often bilateral areas of flaking and pigmentation, mostly in sun unexposed areas is considered a feature of kwashiorkor in both children and adults, and must be differentiated from other dermatosis, including chapped and xerotica skin, and pellagra. In this case series we provide evidence that malnourished patients with flaky paint dermatosis and infection/inflammation shown laboratory data suggestive of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) activation, besides decreased urinary excretion of N1-methylnicotinamide (N1 MN), a marker of pellagra. We study nine adult patients showing flaky paint dermatosis and clinical features of infection or inflammation, and increased serum C-reactive protein, characteristic of the presence of acute phase response syndrome.

Improving patient access to specialized health care: the Telehealth Network of Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Problem: The Brazilian population lacks equitable access to specialized health care and diagnostic tests, especially in remote municipalities, where health professionals often feel isolated and staff turnover is high. Telehealth has the potential to improve patients' access to specialized health care, but little is known about it in terms of cost-effectiveness, access to services or user satisfaction.

Approach: In 2005, the State Government of Minas Gerais, Brazil, funded the establishment of the Telehealth Network, intended to connect university hospitals with the state's remote municipal health departments; support professionals in providing tele-assistance; and perform tele-electrocardiography and teleconsultations.

Analysis of serum and supplemented vitamin C and oxidative stress in HIV-infected children and adolescents.

Objectives: To assess adequacy of vitamin C intake in HIV-infected children and adolescents; to evaluate serum levels of vitamin C and indicators of oxidative stress; to compare with the uninfected group; to correlate serum vitamin C with oxidative stress and associate them according to the reference values.

Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study. Two groups of 27 children and adolescents each, aged between 3 to 19 years.

Frequency of pneumonitis among malnourished autopsied adults.

The objective of this study was to investigate whether malnourished autopsied adults would present higher frequency of pneumonitis than non-malnourished ones would. All of the autopsied adults (n = 175; age > or = 18 years) with complete records, including weight and height data, were included. Pneumonitis was observed more frequently in malnourished individuals (59.

Oxidative stress and acute-phase response in patients with pressure sores.

Objective: We investigated the relation between oxidative stress and the occurrence of the acute-phase response with serum ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol levels in patients with pressure sores.

Methods: The following groups of patients were studied: 1) those who had patients with pressure sores, 2) those who had pneumonia, and 3) those who did not develop pressure sores or any type of infection (control). Concentrations of total proteins, albumin, creatinine, iron, ferritin, transferrin, C-reactive protein, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, total iron-binding capacity, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and malondialdehyde were measured during the first days of hospitalization.

Niacin metabolite excretion in alcoholic pellagra and AIDS patients with and without diarrhea.

Objective: Malnourished patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) can develop pellagra-like manifestations such as dermatitis, diarrhea, and dementia; therefore, we tested the hypothesis that patients with AIDS and diarrhea would have niacin depletion. This study compared 24-h urine excretion of N1-methyl-nicotinamide (N1MN) among patients with pellagra and patients with AIDS who did and did not have diarrhea.

Methods: Three groups were studied: G1 (patients with AIDS and diarrhea, n = 5); G2 (patients with AIDS and no diarrhea, n = 7), and G3 (patients with alcoholic pellagra and without the human immunodeficiency virus, n = 8).

Serum lipids of pemphigus foliaceus patients on long-term glucocorticoid therapy.

Endemic pemphigus foliaceus, and long-term corticotherapy may affect serum lipid levels. The aim of this study was to compare serum lipids of pemphigus foliaceus patients on glucocorticoid therapy to a healthy control group. Fifteen patients receiving prednisone (0.